Joe Willock

[Ikon]

I rate Willock as a player, but not so much if it isn’t a game with many transitions. Not sure how many times I’ve said this but he isn’t very good unless there’s space and transitions in a game. We have a lot of runners, that’s also why we fail to control games as well as breaking down teams at times. I think we need more technical ability as well. Hopefully that will come. Don’t want another player in the Elanga mould for example. 

[Donut]

Awful today. 

 

I hope the injuries haven't done him in but he hasn't been himself on the pitch for so long now I feel.

[80]

4 minutes ago, Donut said:

Awful today. 

 

I hope the injuries haven't done him in but he hasn't been himself on the pitch for so long now I feel.

He was lumbering like an old man shortly after coming on. I was half expecting him to be coming back off with a re-injury. I fear he's cooked.

 

 

Edited October 19, 2024 by 80

[Lush Vlad]

He has been woeful since coming back from injury. Doesn’t look like he wants to fully open up a lot of the time. His touch and passing are miles off. Like he’s deliberately aiming the ball nowhere near our players  

 

A bit like Barnes. It feels like he needs a run of games to find some form and consistency. But he won’t get that. As the players ahead of him are just better, or better suited to the system, in Howe’s eyes. Unlike Barnes. Willock has done anything to warrant a start since coming back, mind. 

 

 

Edited October 19, 2024 by Lush Vlad

[Newcastle Fan]

Looked so heavy compared to his old self today.

[Kanj]

Really confused with him. He looked a different player away to Forest than what we've seen recently. 

[Decky]

1 hour ago, Donut said:

Awful today. 

 

I hope the injuries haven't done him in but he hasn't been himself on the pitch for so long now I feel.

 

Hes definitely lacking a bit of sharpness but the whole team looks completely off it. 

[huss9]

not match fit.

 

[TRon]

I wonder what he would be worth now if he was put up for sale? He's still relatively young, but along with his poor injury record over the last 12 months, his goals have dried up as well.

[nufcjmc]

He needs a run of games but the injury and the competition in midfield means he's going to struggle to find that without someone getting injured. He just seems a shadow of the player he was you hope it's all due to rust but it may be that he won't be the same dynamic runner he once was. 

 

If you look outside of kids being sold and longstaff it's likely him next for me to be sold in midfield but unfortunately cannot see us getting our money back. 

[nufcjmc]

8 minutes ago, TRon said:

I wonder what he would be worth now if he was put up for sale? He's still relatively young, but along with his poor injury record over the last 12 months, his goals have dried up as well.

Despite his youngish age and the usual England tax without another purple patch we would be lucky to get beyond 20/25m for him. 

[Gallowgate Toon]

He's stretched his legs a few times since he came back and still looks a very powerful runner. He's missed a lot of football and was always a big confidence player. More sub appearances for him is just fine, for now.

[nufc123]

Better

[Lush Vlad]

Much better. Looked a lot sharper with his passing and pressing. Was attacking the box like the Willock from a couple of seasons ago. 
 

Still has the fastest jog in world football. Seems like once a game he gets that chance 1 on 1 to jog with it for 70 yards past someone  

[80]

Glad to see him looking more himself. Think tonight showed how much we've missed him. Food for thought, hope this is the start of a long proper stretch in the squad.

[Fak]

Looked more like his usual self. That run in the second half into the Chelsea box was like him of 22/23

[TRon]

Nice to see that old left side combo with Joelinton back in gear again.

[Rod]

1 minute ago, 80 said:

Glad to see him looking more himself. Think tonight showed how much we've missed him. Food for thought, hope this is the start of a long proper stretch in the squad.

I love this bloke. IF, I know, he stays fit then he is our secret weapon. ................ sshhhh.

[KetsbaiaIsBald]

12 hours ago, Lush Vlad said:

Seems like once a game he gets that chance 1 on 1 to jog with it for 70 yards past someone

 

This is the thing.  When you see him do it you're like "wow that was fantastic".  But it does just not happen enough.  I wish they could find a way to get him to do more of this.

[Lush Vlad]

48 minutes ago, KetsbaiaIsBald said:

 

This is the thing.  When you see him do it you're like "wow that was fantastic".  But it does just not happen enough.  I wish they could find a way to get him to do more of this.

 

I think what state the game is in and who we are playing are massive for how Willock looks.  Can make him go from looking almost world class to League One depending on the game .  Coming on against Brighton didn't seem like the right sub and he was terrible.  I thought the same against Chelsea, but they were still leaving space to attack and he was actually a bit better.

 

When playing teams where we have the chance to counter or when we are ahead.  He is so dangerous drifting out wide like he does when he can find some space.  You know it's coming, but he manages it anyway.  

 

He could definitely do a bit more.  It's like that aggression and belief isn't really there a lot of the while.  When he is actually a very good technical player on the ball and a terrific dribbler.  So it would be nice to see it more often.  Injuries and also being in and out of the team have hardly helped.  But he probably doesn't get into our best XI, so it is understandable.   

[alexf]

Was nice to see him stretch those legs and show he still has that power. Will hopefully do his confidence alot of good as he looked scared to sprint since he returned. 

 

Did say before the game will be interesting to see how he looks starting a game instead of coming in as sub so he can feel his way into it. Was definitely an improvement.

[Holloway]

aye, great to see him at full pelt, he just breezes past people

[Conjo]

Has that weird look where he somehow looks quite slow despite breezing past players  As @alexf said loved that he got on that run and didn't break down. Must have given him great confidence in his body when he was able to do that. He seemed to hold back a bit in one of the earlier recent games he was involved in.

[Aiston]

Really helps our midfield with him in it, adds that bit of creativity we lack and he is excellent on the counter.

 

Fantastic today !

[LiquidAK]

He brings us forward so well. Brilliant today